Men's Health

Weight Problems

Written by Mark Abell

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood concepts in nutrition and medicine, obesity has become a problem within our society. I bring attention to it being a problem not because of what obesity can do to one's appearance mainly, but what it can do to one's health. Although heart disease is being better controlled now than ever before in modern medical history, the reasons are linked to technology, better equipment, and better medications but not so much control over society's weight, as a whole. People genuinely want to look good and thin; however, that is not always possible. The ways in which we look at people in this society is based on their outward appearance, which has been cultivated by the media. One need only watch television commercials; the thin women with good figures are used to sell us stuff, but these women are not the real representation of any society. In fact, they are the "exception" and not the "rule". Our need or desire to lose weight and keep it off should be due to health reasons and not so much how we look.

There are a number of factors that control our weight. While some people might argue that genetics has nothing to do with weight control, they are sadly mistaken indeed. In fact, recent twin and adoption studies indicate that human fatness is under a strong genetic influence. From 64 to 88 percent of the differences in skinfold thickness, body mass index, and relative weight has been attributed to genetic factors. Studies have shown that the genetic factors are also compounded by environmental situations, particularly in the western societies. For example, one could have a genetic component to obesity and also live in an environment that seems to "encourage" weight gain by not stressing good dietary limits, etc.

One of the presumed theories for centuries concerning weight control and obesity in humans stipulates that weight problems is related to eating too much. The problem with this theory is that it is very difficult to prove. While studies have seemed to indicate that people who are overweight do "eat more" than people who do not have a weight problem, it is very difficult to determine what an "average" diet (in terms of calories) should be for a society as a whole. It has been stipulated that people who "cannot stop eating" have a problem in the feedback system which records "satiety", the feeling of being full after a meal. It has been said that an eating "behavior" is learned through life and "satiety" is a conditioned response; in other words, what makes one person feel "full" might not make another person feel the same (given that the two people are approximately the same size, weight, etc.).

There is no "quick fix" to an obesity problem. And there really should not be one. If we were to try to give society a way to lose weight (over the long haul), we ought to tell them to "eat less" and "do more". When one eats a meal, as in breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the food is absorbed into the blood stream via the gut. Once absorbed, the food (or nutrients) have to go somewhere. Most of the carbohydrates (sugars) are used for energy; the protein in our food is used for building amino acids, and more protein, etc.; and the fat is stored. If energy is not immediately required, then what is absorbed is stored as fat. Later, when the body needs energy, it will turn the fat back into glucose and use it for energy. Yes, this is a very simplified viewpoint, but one gets the point. If we consider the adage "eat to live rather than live to eat", we all might be a little better off.

So, what, then, should we be concerned about? Is there a difference between fat in men and fat in women? Can obesity lead to other problems? Well, for one thing, fat distribution in men is predominately "upper body fat", above the waist whereas the distribution in women is predominantly "lower body fat", or in the abdomen, waist, buttocks, and thighs. Upper body fat has a much worse prognosis than lower body fat in terms of morbidity and mortality; fat cells from the upper body seem to be functionally different from fat cells in the lower body and this difference is thought to be related to the sex hormones. For men, particularly those with a history of diabetes, cholesterol problems, or even heart disease, they should look for ways to keep their fat ratios within a normal limit. The easiest way to determine one's fat distribution ratio is to measure the body's circumference around the waist and at the hips, coming up with a waist-hip ratio. A ratio greater than 1.0 in men is considered abnormal. These men can easily be considered at a risk for health problems such as heart disease, for example.

Lastly, let's consider the heart for just a moment. We are all becoming more heart-conscious these days and it would do the heart some good to take off a few pounds if you are over weight. The heart is a pump. It can only do so much. If we continue to gain weight, not eat the right foods (see the food pyramid at http://www.ganesa.com:80/food/index.html), the heart will be forced to pump against a larger "gradient" of pressure. If that continues, the heart will compensate by getting larger (myopathy) which can lead to heart failure, a heart attack, or even a stroke.

So, let's not all think that we ought to lose weight tomorrow, because it's not going to happen that quickly. Set a goal for yourself to lose a pound or two a month. If you do it that way, you will give your body a chance to change with your lifestyle and you will feel better about yourself. Always talk with your doctor, however, if you plan to start a diet and exercise program.

For more information about obesity, check out the following: (May I warn the web surfers first - there are a lot of "quick weight loss programs" on the Internet; reader beware. These generally don't work. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying them)

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